[Mleeja]

You all that have been posting in support of “the POA vs the VHA “have been very supportive (and caustic) and I seriously doubt that what I am posting will change your minds, and quite frankly I would not expect otherwise. I made the statement that some of the posting may not contain 100% accurate information and I have been called out for that. Rightly so. If I am calling out folks for not posting accurate information, I should do the same. I have went back through this post for review.

These are all opinions, not statements of fact.

“The VHA represents the interests of the Developer.”

“what is the difference between the POA and the VHA? The former was organized to work with the Developer by presenting factual information that may or may not have been pleasing but was well factual. The latter organization was formed to present the Developer with not only favorable information but information that discredited the POA's position. The former organization was formed to support the residents while the latter organization was formed to experience that kumbaya moment”

“I find the very existence of the VHA, a front organization established and subsidized by the Developer (via free delivery of its newsletter with the Daily Sun) in an effort to weaken the POA, offensive to the residents of The Villages. I cannot imagine that there is any other housing development in the country with two competing homeowners' associations like ours. Most importantly, we certainly cannot count on the VHA to protect our interests in any situation where they do not coincide with those of the Developer.”

“The fact is that the posters whom you are "calling out" have a real problem with a self-proclaimed homeowners' association (the "VHA") which does not represent the homeowners”

There is nothing that supports any of these statements. If you review the actions taken by the VHA, they have been supportive of the residents and the community. Take the time to review their website. Do their activities support the developer? I am sure in some cases they do. Are there not times were the interest of the POA and the developer are the same? Is working to improve the community a bad thing?

This posting is full of miss-information:

“In about 2000 the POA won a significant law suit ($40M) against the Developer because of lack of saving some of the profits that were received to protect the Orange Blosom Rec, Center etc.. When there was a refusal to correct the condition, (e.g.allegedly rats in the ceiling, etc.) the POA sued the Developer and won the $40 Million. In addition some of Board Members of the POA were rewarded by the court for their sacrifice of putting their own personal monies up to protect the residents. It was recognized they risked their own money to support the residents. None of them could change their life style for the amount they received from the court. The Developer allegedly was angry that the POA was awarded a win and there was a pledge to set up the VHA and the Developer would use it as a counter to the POA. This goes on as of today. It should be noted that the residents continue to receive benifits from the POA actions. Some of the carts paths improvements etc are from that $40M. I believe some of the $40M is still available to help the residents. Given these are a true representation of why the POA / VHA exist today it can be concluded that it is reasonable that the VHA supports the Developer and the POA represents the residents. Anything else is smoke to protect one or the other organization. Why POA Member meetings open to all while to VHA only open to members. It important to let the sunshine in.”

1. The law suit was settled in 2008. As part of the settlement the developer agreed to pay approximately $40 million over a 13 year period. See poa4us.org “Class Action Lawsuit” So the money is still being paid. In my book a settlement is not a win. Both parties came to an agreement.
2. As part of the settlement, the attorney fees were paid by the developer. Plus the five residents who were the named plaintiffs received $300,000. See poa4us.org “Class Action Lawsuit” This works out to be $60,000 each. I guess it is in the eye of the reader if $60,000 could “change your lifestyle”.
3. As part of this settlement, the Amenity Authority Committee was created, not the Villages Home Owners Association. See poa4us.org “Class Action Lawsuit”
4. The VHA was created in 1990. See thevha.net.
5. The VHA meetings are open to all members and residents. See thevha.net. One would think, for an organizations such as this to continue to grow, the meetings would need to be open to all. Maybe only members can vote for the officers. I would suspect the POA is the same.

I think to conclude, it is up to each of us to think about what we post on this or any other site. We are all passionate about our beliefs and positions. When you do you postings follow the rule of engaging your brain before your fingers. Think about what you are saying and if it can be supported.

Ok haters, hate....